The power of the pen is mightier than the threat of a sword. The pen and the word (spoken or written) are mighty tools to make or mar an individual, organisation, society or nation. This is due to the fact that information travels within seconds of its release. Take a scenario of an uncooked egg, whenever it drops on the floor, it spilts and cannot be recovered or undone. Such is the situation of our words or speech. Whenever we say or write anything, we must be sure of what we are publishing or vocalizing.
Journalism demands commitment and responsibility, as journalists and pen pushers must be careful about the information and news they disseminate. The media can be a tool for rapid development and sudden destruction of any society, depending on how it allows itself to be used. Hence, journalism can even be said to be a calling, as it requires the zeal to always find out and circulate only the truth, after careful and detailed investigation, void of fear and favour.
Blogging takes several forms. Some bloggers are writers, poets, critics, etc; while others are online journalists, or what can be called ‘e-media’. It is however disheartening when you read in the dailies, or hear on radio/television, of bloggers being arrested for posting malicious and defamating news/information about an individual or government.
This makes me bothered and concerned as a blogger. It also makes me ask the question “should bloggers be trained on journalism?”. The internet is the electronic world, whereby anybody can venture into anything, legitimate or illegitimate. Although, there are certain measures and restrictions put in place to regulate some activities of internet users, including bloggers, we should however be aware that the law is no respecter of persons. Whenever we post any article/news/reports/information about anyone, we should be ready to defend such actions and publications at any time, even in the court of law. Any information or news that cannot be backed up with facts and evidence should not be published. You never can tell who is watching.
It will also be of professional benefit to bloggers, especially those who are in the line of disseminating information, to seek training in the area of journalism. Bloggers should not allow their actions to dent the image and pedigree of the blogging profession. Seek knowledge if need be. We do not want a gagged press nor a gagged blog/blogger. However, freedom also has its limits.